Can you chase cough syrup

Dextromethorphan-containing products — tablets, capsules, gel caps, lozenges, and syrups — are labeled DM, cough suppressant, or Tuss or contain "tuss" in the title. When people take too much DXM, they might have hallucinations and "out-of-body" sensations. DXM also depresses brain function, particularly the parts of the brain that control breathing and heart function.

Taking a lot of DXM causes hallucinations and out-of-body sensations similar to the ones caused by drugs like ketamine and PCP. These effects can last as long as 6 hours. Perth pharmacists are increasingly refusing to dispense over-the-counter cough syrups to teenagers over concerns they are mixing it with sugary soft drinks as they chase a cheap high.

Cough medicine can be dangerous in very large doses. Credit: Getty. Dr Wilson said pharmacists were aware adolescents were using cough and cold remedies in higher than therapeutic doses and were increasingly wary of selling it because it could be dangerous and addictive. But there is a risk which goes up as the dose increases.

Last Updated: July 21, References Approved. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed , times. We live in a time where numerous illnesses and conditions can be treated with just a few pills or spoonfuls of liquid.

Unfortunately for us, many medicines come with a bitter and unpleasant taste that can make taking them more difficult. There are, however, a few ways you can overcome a medicine's taste and keep yourself healthy at the same time. To swallow bitter pills, try crushing them with a mortar and pestle and mixing the powder into food, such as ice cream, chocolate pudding, or syrup. Always check with your pharmacist first, as some pills, such as Oxycontin, can be dangerous when crushed.

Alternatively, you can suck on an ice cube or ice pop until your mouth is numb before swallowing your pills, which will help disguise the taste. If your medicine is in a liquid form, try mixing it into a strongly-flavored drink, like fruit juice, to disguise the taste. You can also chill the medicine for an hour in the refrigerator to reduce its bitter taste.

For more tips form our Medical co-author, including how to "chase" medicine with a pleasant drink, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy.

Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Check with your pharmacist before mixing your medication. The easiest way to take bitter liquid medicine is by mixing it with a better-tasting drink.

This is usually fine with most medications, but you have to be careful. There could be interactions between your drug and certain liquids. Grapefruit juice, for example, has become notorious for inhibiting the effectiveness of several drugs, including Lipitor, Zocor, and Allegra. Mix your liquid medicine into a strongly-flavored drink.

Usually fruit juices work best for this because they have strong tastes that can overwhelm the taste of the medicine. Then pour this into a full glass of juice or water and drink it quickly. They may not be able to play when they want to or go to school and feel powerless over their symptoms. To help provide some sense of control and make taking medicine more empowering, try offering choices. Offer the choice of taking it before or after they get dressed in the morning, for example, and whether to take it from a spoon or cup.

Consider letting your child take the medicine without your help but still under your supervision. You can also chase the medicine down with a special treat or meal your child enjoys, or mix it into a soft food such as pudding, applesauce or yogurt. With this technique, use a modest amount of the food to ensure the full dose is taken in.

Use a plastic syringe or plastic dropper to place the syrup near the back or side of the tongue. If your child still resists swallowing, gently stroke the skin under his chin to ease the medicine down. This will also help prevent him from spitting out the liquid.